dinner at Asadal: kim chi and the love of smelly food

There’s been a lot of talk lately about one of my most beloved fruits, the durian. And let me tell you, it hasn’t been so kind, this talk about my durian. It seems that more and more people (even Asians, dammit, you call yourself Asians?) are starting to take offence to its smell, which by the way wikipedia so lovingly describes as “pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock”.

Ok but you know what? Love is blind anosmic, so bite me.

I’m not so sure if it’s about “growing up” with smelly food vs an acquired taste. Most people seem to think that unless you’re born knee deep in stink, you will never love stink, but I disagree. I totally acknowledge the combined smartness of my friends and all that – and by no means am I any smarter, I mean, seriously – but if there’s one thing I do know about, it’s what’s yummy.

Another smelly food is kim chi, right? If you don’t believe me, try keeping a tub of kim chi in your fridge a week and see. Just see. In my obviously misguided youth, kim chi used to make me near retch but now? Honestly? I can order a large serving of mixed kim chi and hoover the whole thing myself.

But mostly, I share. Because I’m nice like that.

Like last week, when I met the quirky and gorgeous Yasumi for dinner at Asadal, we shared mix kim chi – cucumber, cabbage and radish. No Korean meal is complete without kim chi and speaking of Korean, I’m off to Koba for dinner tonight! As good as Asadal was, somehow nothing in London compares to Koba – my one true Korean love!

pps. speaking of smells, one thing Asadal does well is the management of smoke stink, considering it is a BBQ joint. They have these awesome IN-GRILL vents that pull the smoke back down, so you don’t go home smelling like something your dog might want to lick all over!

Smelly food? You just inspired an idea I’ve been knocking around… I like “smelly” as in Blue Cheese, and Parmesan cheese. But durian? Might as well go with what the Japanese scientists are doing;turning poop into ‘meat’. What do you suppose Soylent Green tastes like? (Monsanto needs to get gone.)
The pickled cucumber up top this post looks delicious, even if I did mistake it for zucchini, at first. On the other hand, zucchini would be good, too. What do you think?

I am now living in London and my flatmate is from Korea; she recommended me Asadal and I would like to taste korean food next week. But, after reading your article and I am not sure if it would be better try Koba first -it will be a surprise dinner for my boyfriend´s birthday-. It would be great if you could recommed me in this sense. Thanks so much and congratulations for your webside -very tasted!!!!-